Clitsome Claimed By Jets

The first Blue Jackets player on the move today was defenseman Grant Clitsome, who was claimed on waivers by the Winnipeg Jets.

"It's been a crazy 48 hours," Clitsome said. "It's the first time I was put on waivers, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

"It's kind of bittersweet. I've developed a lot of relationships here, a lot of good friendships with players and staff. The organization has put a lot of time in developing me as a player, and I thank them for that opportunity. The flipside is I get a chance to go to an organization like Winnipeg, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Clitsome was a ninth-round draft pick of the Blue Jackets (No. 271 overall) in the 2004 NHL entry draft. He reached the NHL full-time last season, excelling in a 31-game run late in the season in which he had four goals, 15 assists and a plus-2 rating.

That trial run was enough to earn Clitsome a one-way contract. The two-year deal paid Clitsome $1.1 million in 2011-12 and $1.4 million in 2012-13.

But Clitsome tailed off a bit this season, especially defensively. He had 4-10-14 in 51 games, sporting a minus-6 rating that is tops among the Blue Jackets' regular defensemen.

Clitsome, 26, will be reunited with former Blue Jackets coach Claude Noel, now coach of the Jets. He played a handful of games late in the 2009-10 season when Campin' Claude was the Blue Jackets interim coach.

He's also switching conferences (West to East) and moving up seven spots in the standings. As of today, the Jets are eighth in the East.

"I'm excited," Clitsome said. "They're in a playoff push, they've got a great team. It's going to be great.

"Claude's a character guy. I really enjoyed playing for him two years ago when I was up for first NHL stint. Looking forward to being back there."

-- Aaron Portzline

aportzline@dispatch.com

twitter: @aportzline

The first Blue Jackets player on the move today was defenseman Grant Clitsome, who was claimed on waivers by the Winnipeg Jets.

"It's been a crazy 48 hours," Clitsome said. "It's the first time I was put on waivers, so I wasn't quite sure what to expect.

"It's kind of bittersweet. I've developed a lot of relationships here, a lot of good friendships with players and staff. The organization has put a lot of time in developing me as a player, and I thank them for that opportunity. The flipside is I get a chance to go to an organization like Winnipeg, and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

Clitsome was a ninth-round draft pick of the Blue Jackets (No. 271 overall) in the 2004 NHL entry draft. He reached the NHL full-time last season, excelling in a 31-game run late in the season in which he had four goals, 15 assists and a plus-2 rating.

That trial run was enough to earn Clitsome a one-way contract. The two-year deal paid Clitsome $1.1 million in 2011-12 and $1.4 million in 2012-13.

But Clitsome tailed off a bit this season, especially defensively. He had 4-10-14 in 51 games, sporting a minus-6 rating that is tops among the Blue Jackets' regular defensemen.

Clitsome, 26, will be reunited with former Blue Jackets coach Claude Noel, now coach of the Jets. He played a handful of games late in the 2009-10 season when Campin' Claude was the Blue Jackets interim coach.

He's also switching conferences (West to East) and moving up seven spots in the standings. As of today, the Jets are eighth in the East.

"I'm excited," Clitsome said. "They're in a playoff push, they've got a great team. It's going to be great.

"Claude's a character guy. I really enjoyed playing for him two years ago when I was up for first NHL stint. Looking forward to being back there."